Brian’s Blog was created for all of his friends, family, fans, and community members who are cheering him on in his fight against leukemia. Brian graduated from HHS in May of this year. Many people know Brian due to his leadership, sportsmanship, and outstanding athletic achievements including three state championships in wrestling, a state football championship, state discus champion 2011 and varsity track and soccer teams. He had received a call to serve a full-time mission to Uruguay and was planning to start his mission at the end of the month. After completing his mission to Uruguay, Brian planned to play football at SUU where he has already received a full-ride scholarship. Brian was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) on Tuesday October 2nd. That very day he was taken to Salt Lake City for intensive inpatient care. He has been receiving chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and other treatments. We hope and pray that Brian will recover with the help of competent medical care. Doctors say that there is an 80% chance that Brian’s cancer will respond favorably to treatment. Thank you so much for your support. We will keep you updated regularly on Brian’s progress.

Update: On January 14, 2014, Brian passed away after a 15 1/2 month battle with leukemia. He was in remission following the first series of chemotherapy treatments for only 3 months, in spite of earlier optimism. Another harder hitting chemotherapy began in June with the intention of following with a bone marrow transplant but instead, alternative treatments in Colorado Springs and later Atlanta were chosen. Those also were unsuccessful, too little too late. In November he underwent yet more chemotherapy in Denver. The leukemia did not respond. Brian returned home to Southern Utah friends and family on December 12, 2013. Leukemia took his mortal life, but it can't touch his spirit.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

PRAYERS NEEDED
To all you dear friends and acquaintances who have faithfully followed and prayed for Brian, thank you so much. We have felt your love and support and are deeply grateful.
We have come to a critical point in Brian's battle, and the cancer is gaining fast. We feel that we are doing the thing that will help him, but only time will tell the will of Heavenly Father. Please pray for Brian. Leukemia is such a sneaky disease. You can't see it, people can look well but they're not. He feels happy, healthy and good about the cannabis and the path he is taking to get well. We support him, and feel that it should work. Pray that it will, and soon. Thank you so much!

Monday, September 2, 2013

Since, the last post there hasn't been a lot to write about. It was a month day before yesterday since we arrived in Colorado Springs. Brian has had very little change in the blood counts. Interestingly enough and thankfully, they have not seen any blasts (immature cancer cells) since we left Utah! It appears that the bone marrow is still feeling the effects of the multiple chemotherapies since October. It is now about 2 1/2 months since his last chemo treatment ended. He has been on the cannabis for over 3 weeks now, and started at very low doses. It has been recommended that he have 2000 to 3000 mg per day, and he has reached 1000 mg per day so far, which is a fair dose. He has little side effects from it, so he acts and thinks like normal. Initially, he was more sleepy and occasionally a bit silly but only when we would bump up the dose, and not always then either. I am glad the body adjusts to it, so there is less side effect. His eyebrows and eyelashes are grown back and hair is growing in on his head once again! :) He has been exercising moderately, but enough to get sore! He has a good attitude, and while he doesn't whine about it, wishes he could be home. He is dreaming about going snowboarding this winter, which is looking like a good possibility. He has had to get platelet transfusions twice, once 2 weeks ago and again with 2 units of blood last week. So we've been a bit disappointed in the CBC's, but we trust a wise Heavenly Father who has a plan and we just do our part, and hope for the day when it gets better. Brian feels pretty good, has no pain issues, and keeps busy communicating with friends and family, playing a few video games and practicing his guitar. He has plans to study more and make better use of his time now that he is not so sleepy. I will try to get him posting here in the near future also. Thanks to all of you for checking in, and for your continued prayers. It means a lot.

Brian's sister, Charlotte, and her husband, Trujillo and four children drove out to see Brian

last week for a few days. This was last night, kicking back for a few camera shots. Brian needs a shave! :)

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December 8, 2013

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Play time, finally. Sept. 19,2013

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Brian at Coral Pink Sand Dunes September 2013, getting ready for fun.

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20th Birthday

Our sincere thanks go to the Lemmon Team (ERA Brokers Consolidated): Jim, Rand, Nancy & Ryan for generously putting together the super movie fundraiser, Skyfall, and to the many who supported it on November 10th to help pay for medical expenses!

St. George Events presented Brian with a large check from a dance held in Washington City in October. Thank you Abraham Thiombiano and friends!

Jannica Johnson, 9 years old from Toquerville, came up with the idea to have a bake sale to help with Brian's medical costs. So she did it last Saturday! Pictured here are (L-R): Jannica, Raelee and Bryce Johnson, her sister and brother. Ryan and Laycee Johnson are their parents. The bake sale was a success! Thank you, Jannica!!

This is a sign that the football team held up during the dance concert for Brian.

New look.

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~Winston Churchill